JCC English 100 - Fall 2020

Mr. Isgar

Essay 1
Definition Essay: What makes an American?

Writing Assignment: Write a well-developed essay in which you define what it means to be American.

As you develop your essay, you may consider drawing your insights from any range of material and
evidence, including your own experience, observations, media and news platforms, articles, or any other
touchstone of American culture and history; however, your essay’s thesis and central insights must rely
on strategies of definition, which include synonym, formal definition, and extended definition.

Guidelines:

● 2-3 pages in length (double-spaced)

● Thesis must be strong
● MLA: 12 point, Times New Roman, double space
● Strives to meet the
● Please use no more than three sources as you develop your own definition

Purpose: A definition essay relies on strategies of definition in order to inform, clarify,

challenge, and/or persuade.

Audience: Your teacher and your classmates are your audience.

Skill Spotlights: Thesis and Organization

Thesis (also known as a claim): According to the JCC English 100 Rubric, a strong thesis
“should be specific, logical, and significant.” As such, a specific thesis will rely on clear and
concise terms that clarify the scope of the essay. A logical thesis incorporates precise reasoning
that informs the argumentative progression of the essay. A significant thesis relies on complexity
and tension in order to challenge easy assumptions.

Organization: If your thesis is well-developed (specific, logical, and significant), it should

harness key terms and concepts that effectively guide the rest of the essay. A well-developed
thesis not only makes an argument, but it sets up a road map for the remainder of the essay. The
key terms and concepts in your thesis should echo and build in the course of the essay.

Due Date: Sunday, October 11th, 2020